Cerebral pericytes are perivascular cells that stabilize blood vessels. Little is known about the plasticity of pericytes in the adult brain in vivo. Recently, using state-of-the-art technologies, including two-photon microscopy in combination with sophisticated Cre/loxP in vivo tracing techniques, a novel role of pericytes was revealed in vascular remodeling in the adult brain. Strikingly, after pericyte ablation, neighboring pericytes expand their processes and prevent vascular dilatation. This new knowledge provides insights into pericyte plasticity in the adult brain.
Animals ; Brain ; blood supply ; physiology ; physiopathology ; Brain Diseases ; physiopathology ; Capillaries ; physiology ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; physiopathology ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Pericytes ; physiology ; Vascular Remodeling

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vessel density of macula according to analysis area in health subjects using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 30 eyes of 20 healthy people who underwent OCTA. We measured vessel density (VD) according to analysis area and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). The analysis areas were classified as 3 × 3 mm scan area (Box), Box area excluding FAZ (Box-FAZ), fovea centered 3 mm circle area (Circle), Circle area excluding FAZ (Circle-FAZ) and area between fovea centered 1 mm circle and 3 mm circle (Ring). RESULTS: The SCP VDs were Box 34.00 ± 3.97, Box-FAZ 35.37 ± 4.09, Circle 31.70 ± 4.56, Circle-FAZ 33.34 ± 4.72, and Ring 35.22 ± 5.09. The DCP VDs were Box 30.04 ± 3.51, Circle 29.49 ± 3.57, Box-FAZ 31.59 ± 3.65, Circle-FAZ 31.46 ± 3.72, and Ring 32.60 ± 4.00. There was a significant difference according to analysis area from both SCP and DCP (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Comparison of the vessel density between SCP and DCP in the same analysis area were different in all areas (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows different results according to analysis area when measuring VD using OCTA. Therefore, when comparing studies related to VD, it is necessary to pay attention to the analysis area in the interpretation of the results.
Angiography ; Capillaries ; Healthy Volunteers ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: Comparison between lung ultrasound (LUS) score and indices of respiratory severity in very preterm infants born at 28 to 31 weeks' gestation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 32 very preterm infants born at 28 to 31 weeks' gestation at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center. Before surfactant administration, bedside LUS in the neonatal intensive care unit was recorded within the first hour of life. Partial pressure of capillary oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (PcO2)/FiO2, alveolar-arterial gradient (A-aO2), modified oxygenation index (OI), and arterial to alveolar ratio were calculated. Correlation between LUS score and indices of respiratory severity were analyzed between the intubation and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) groups depending on the presence or absence of endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: Mean LUS scores, A-aO2, and modified OI in the intubation group were significantly higher than those in the NCPAP group. Conversely, PcO2/FiO2 and arterial to alveolar ratios in the intubation group were significantly lower than those in the NCPAP group. LUS score was found to be significantly correlated with A-aO2 (r=0.448, P>0.05) and modified OI (r=0.453, P>0.05), but not with PcO2/FiO2 ratio (r=−0.205, P<0.05) and arterial to alveolar ratio (r=−0.190, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The LUS score is well correlated with indices of respiratory severity in very preterm infants born at 28 to 31 weeks' gestation. Further investigation is needed to use LUS as an alternative tool in infants with respiratory distress.
Capillaries ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Lung ; Medical Records ; Oxygen ; Partial Pressure ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is commonly used to detect the depth of cancer invasion in the preoperative stage. Intrapapillary capillary loop (IPCL) patterns observed in magnification endoscopy with narrow band image are also known to well demonstrate cancer invasion depth. Here, we report a case of superficial esophageal cancer with massive submucosal invasion, which presented as a superficial esophageal cancer confined to the mucosal layer and with a coincidental hypoechoic submucosal tumor under EUS and IPCL evaluation.
Capillaries ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Endoscopy ; Endosonography ; Esophageal Neoplasms

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of apixaban and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in the prevention and treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty in older adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 220 patients (average age of 67.8±6.4 years) undergoing total knee arthroplasty were randomly selected as research subjects and were divided into apixaban and LMWH groups (110 in each group). RESULTS: The incidence of DVT was lower in the apixaban group than in the LMWH group (5.5% vs. 20.0%, p=0.001). Activated partial thromboplastin times (35.2±3.6 sec vs. 33.7±2.2 sec, p=0.010; 37.8±4.6 sec vs. 34.1±3.2 sec, p<0.001; 39.6±5.1 sec vs. 35.7±3.0 sec, p=0.032) and prothrombin times (14.0±1.0 sec vs. 12.8±0.9 sec, p<0.001; 14.5±1.2 sec vs. 13.0±1.1 sec, p<0.001; 15.3±1.4 sec vs. 13.2±1.3 sec, p=0.009) in the apixaban group at 1 week after surgery, 3 weeks after surgery, and the end of treatment were higher than those in the LMWH group. Platelet and fibrinogen levels in the apixaban group were lower than those of the LMWH group. Also, capillary plasma viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation in the apixaban group at 1 week after surgery, 3 weeks after surgery, and the end of treatment were lower than those in the LMWH group. CONCLUSION: Apixaban, which elicits fewer adverse reactions and is safer than LMWH, exhibited better effects in the prevention and treatment of DVT after total knee arthroplasty in older adults.
Adult ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Blood Platelets ; Capillaries ; Erythrocyte Aggregation ; Fibrinogen ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; Humans ; Incidence ; Plasma ; Prothrombin Time ; Research Subjects ; Thromboplastin ; Venous Thrombosis ; Viscosity

BACKGROUND: Lidocaine spray is a local anesthetic that improves random-pattern skin flap survival. The fractional ablative carbon dioxide laser (FxCL) produces vertical microchannels that delivers topically applied drugs to the skin. In this study, we hypothesized that FxCL therapy would enhance the lidocaine effect to improve random-pattern skin flap survival in rats. METHODS: McFarlane random-pattern skin flaps were elevated in 48 rats, which were divided into four groups according to treatment: FxCL+lidocaine, FxCL, lidocaine, and nontreatment (control). On postoperative day 7, necrotic flap areas, the number of capillary vessels, and neutrophil count were evaluated. Anti-rat vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD31 antibody activity were also evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Flap survival rate was 53.41%±5.43%, 58.16%±4.80%, 57.08%±5.91%, and 69.08%±3.20% in the control, lidocaine, FxCL, and FxCL+lidocaine groups, respectively. Mean neutrophil count in the intermediate zone excluding the necrotic tissue was 41.70±8.40, 35.43±6.41, 37.23±7.15, and 27.20±4.24 cells/field in the control, lidocaine, FxCL, and FxCL+lidocaine groups, respectively. Anti-rat VEGF and CD31 antibody activity were the highest in the FxCL+lidocaine group. CONCLUSION: FxCL with lidocaine had a positive effect on random-pattern skin flap survival in rats. Thus, FxCL with lidocaine spray should be considered as a new treatment option to improve flap viability.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Carbon Dioxide ; Carbon ; Lasers, Gas ; Lidocaine ; Neutrophils ; Rats ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: Control of metastatic spread of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains as a major therapeutic challenge. [V4 Q5 ]dDAVP is a vasopressin peptide analog with previously reported anticancer activity against carcinoma tumors. By acting as a selective agonist of arginine vasopressin type 2 membrane receptor (AVPR2) present in endothelial and tumor cells, [V⁴Q⁵]dDAVP is able to impair tumor aggressiveness and distant spread. Our aim was to evaluate the potential therapeutic benefits of [V⁴Q⁵]dDAVP on highly aggressive CRC disease using experimental models with translational relevance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Murine CT-26 and human Colo-205 AVPR2-expressing CRC cell lines were used to test the preclinical efficacy of [V⁴Q⁵]dDAVP, both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In syngeneic mice surgically implanted with CT-26 cells in the spleen, sustained intravenous treatment with [V⁴Q⁵]dDAVP (0.3 µg/kg) dramatically impaired metastatic progression to liver without overt signs of toxicity, and also reduced experimental lung colonization. The compound inhibited in vivo angiogenesis driven by Colo-205 cells in athymic mice, as well as in vitro endothelial cell migration and capillary tube formation. [V⁴Q⁵]dDAVP exerted AVPR2-dependent cytostatic activity in vitro (IC₅₀ 1.08 µM) and addition to 5-fluorouracil resulted in synergistic antiproliferative effects both in CT-26 and Colo-205 cells. CONCLUSION: The present preclinical study establishes for the first time the efficacy of [V⁴Q⁵]dDAVP on CRC. These encouraging results suggest that the novel second generation vasopressin analog could be used for the management of aggressive CRC as an adjuvant agent during surgery or to complement standard chemotherapy, limiting tumor angiogenesis and metastasis and thus protecting the patient from CRC recurrence.
Animals ; Arginine Vasopressin ; Capillaries ; Cell Line ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Complement System Proteins ; Drug Therapy ; Endothelial Cells ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Liver ; Lung ; Membranes ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Models, Theoretical ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Robenidine ; Spleen ; Vasopressins

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a reversible vasospasm that is aggravated by cold or emotional stress. Before confirming RP, it is essential to consider other possible causes including compressive neuropathy, sensori-neuropathy, thyroid disease, hematologic conditions and offending drugs. RP is typically characterized by the three-step color change that turns pallor (white), cyanosis (blue), and then erythema (red) of reperfusion. Once RP is diagnosed, it is important to determine whether it is primary or secondary RP. To distinguish primary from the secondary RP, the specialized tests performing in clinical practice are antinuclear antibody (ANA) and nailfold capillary microscopy (NFC). The combination of ANA and NFC is most helpful for discriminating secondary RP due to autoimmune rheumatic disease. Thereby, normal findings of NFC in primary RP distinguished from secondary RP should be understood. Patients with primary RP usually improves with symptomatic treatment focused on lifestyle modification and patient education, but those with secondary RP should be treated together with associated disease or causes.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Capillaries ; Cyanosis ; Erythema ; Humans ; Life Style ; Microscopic Angioscopy ; Microscopy ; Pallor ; Patient Education as Topic ; Reperfusion ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Stress, Psychological ; Thyroid Diseases

PURPOSE: To compare retinal layer thickness and chorioretinal vascular density (VD) between acute and chronic branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: This study included patients with BRVO. The VD of the superficial capillary plexus (VDs), the VD of the deep capillary plexus (VDd), and VD of the choriocapillaris were obtained using optical coherence tomography angiography. Acute and chronic BRVO data were compared to assess differences between the involved and uninvolved areas. RESULTS: We included 17 eyes with acute BRVO and 23 eyes with chronic BRVO. The VDs in the involved area were not significantly different between the involved area and in the uninvolved area in acute BRVO (p = 0.551). However, the difference was significant in chronic BRVO (p = 0.013). The VDd in the involved area was lower than in the uninvolved area in both acute and chronic BRVO (p = 0.020, p = 0.003, respectively). In addition, the VD of the choriocapillaris values did not differ significantly between acute and chronic BRVO, or between involved and uninvolved areas. The VDs in the involved area in chronic BRVO were lower than in acute BRVO (p = 0.047), and the VDd did not differ between acute and chronic BRVO in all areas. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular impaired patterns in the retinal layer differed between acute and chronic BRVO. These results may suggest that vascular change and remodeling develops differently in acute and chronic phases in BRVO.
Angiography ; Capillaries ; Humans ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Retinal Vein ; Retinaldehyde ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: To investigate the foveal avascular zone (AVZ), superficial and deep foveal and parafoveal vessel density (VD) changes related to diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Forty-nine type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 45 healthy control subjects were included in this study. The demographic data (age and sex), disease duration, and level of glycated hemoglobin were collected. Superficial VD (%), superficial AVZ area (mm2), deep VD (%) and deep AVZ area (mm2) were evaluated via optic coherence tomography angiography. RESULTS: Superficial AVZ was 0.438 ± 0.05 mm2 in the DM group, 0.246 ± 0.022 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). Deep AVZ was 0.732 ± 0.06 mm2 in the DM group, and 0.342 ± 0.022 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). Superficial foveal VD was 29.45 ± 0.76 mm2 in the DM group, and 34.86 ± 0.75 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). Deep foveal VD was 24.85 ± 1.08 mm2 in the DM group, and 33.47 ± 0.56 mm2 in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrated an enlargement in the foveal AVZ along with a reduction in the vascular density of the superficial and deep capillary network in the foveal and parafoveal area using optic coherence tomography angiography in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. This technique can be used to monitor the progression of the disease and to evaluate the response to treatment.
Angiography ; Capillaries ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Tomography, Optical Coherence